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Understanding What Jesus Taught About Generosity

Jesus taught that generosity…

Is about the heart and not the amount

Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box, and he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. And he said, “Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.” LUKE 21:1-4 ESV

It’s easy to focus on the amount and miss the meaning

“What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law… Hypocrites! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest income from your herb gardens, but you ignore the more important aspects of the law—justice, mercy, and faith. You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things. MATTHEW 23:23 NLT

Is believing that giving is better than getting

“… You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” ACTS 20:35 NLT

“Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” LUKE 6:38 ESV

Doesn’t crave attention

“Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. MATTHEW 6:2-4 ESV

Helps to keep me spiritually sharp

I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich…” REVELATION 3:15-18 NIV

My Notes

Personal Reflection Guide

Find a quiet place to spend some time in reflection, possibly by taking a walk or being out in nature. Allow yourself to take several slow, deep breaths, inviting God into this time. When you feel ready, think about your generosity to God and His work through Sandals. Put yourself in the story of the poor widow outgiving everyone with the small amount she gave. What are your thoughts and feelings about how Jesus responded? Imagine yourself in the story and how Jesus would respond to your giving to Him and His work. Recall some instances in which you experienced the truth that you are blessed more by giving than by receiving. What feelings and thoughts surface? Ask God to reveal any areas where you might be generous outwardly, but bankrupt in your heart inwardly. Ask Him to give you—in increasing measure—a heart of full generosity toward God and others. Close your time by thanking God for His incredible generosity toward you, writing your reflections in the space below, and sharing them with your group if you feel comfortable.

Discussion Questions

  1. GET STARTED: What is it about money that often causes it to be a private or delicate topic of conversation with people?
  2. GET STARTED: What is the most important/valuable thing you own? What makes it valuable to you?
  3. GET STARTED: Think back to your upbringing; in what way did your family talk about or model the use of money to you? Share an experience that sticks out to you.
  4. GET STARTED: How has it gone in the past, when you’ve had something to do but had a difficult time getting your heart into it?
  5. KEEP GOING: Read Acts 20:35 (NLT). Our culture is hyper-focused on what we can get. Jesus goes the other way and focuses on what we can give. How have you personally experienced “giving” being better than “getting?”
  6. KEEP GOING: Jesus affirms tithing and at the same time says we can miss even more important issues. How have you experienced being a giver and not having a generous heart?
  7. KEEP GOING: Our financial comfort may be our greatest enemy to Christ. In what ways can the blessings of God keep us from trusting God and being generous?
  8. LIVE IT OUT: We are generous to the people and things we love most; what (or who) do you find yourself giving the most of your time and resources to?
  9. LIVE IT OUT: Read Luke 21:1-4 (NLT). Take some time and reflect on Jesus watching this offering. Place yourself in the story. What would Jesus say about the posture of your heart when you give?
  10. LIVE IT OUT: Spend some time closing in prayer and ask God to touch hearts and multiply our giving so Sandals can invest in people, places, and technology.